S. Korea, U.S. Pact To Boost Joint Space Cooperation

Oct. 24, 2012 - 12:29PM
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The United States and South Korea have signed an agreement to broaden the nations’ joint participation in military space activities, according to senior defense officials.

These officials said Washington and Seoul would also work together to strengthen their cybersecurity cooperation.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin announced the partnerships during an Oct. 24 briefing at the Pentagon. The defense leaders signed a “space cooperation terms of reference for bilateral military space cooperation,” Panetta said.

The document “formally establishes a United States-Republic of Korea defense working group that will address space policy, architecture, training and personnel exchange,” he said.

The ministers also “welcomed the launch of the U.S.-ROK Cyber Policy Consultations as a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, and also acknowledged that effective bilateral cooperation on cyber-security would require increased cooperation between defense agencies and coordination with the private sector,” according to a joint statement released by the Pentagon following the meeting between Panetta and Kim.

Both Panetta and Kim touted the military relationship between the two countries. Broadening partnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific is a critical part of the Pentagon’s military strategy, which calls for an increased focus on that region.